NFL WILD CARD ROUND PREDICTIONS

Saturday, January 4th 3:35 PM on ABC/ESPN

Buffalo Bills @ Houston Texans

The playoffs are here, and our first game has Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills going against Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans. Buffalo’s past defense is amazing. Although led by cornerback Tre’Davious White, their run defense is quite suspect as they have allowed 4.3 yards per carry which ranks 18th in the league and Houston ranks 9th in rushing yards per game and 10th in yards per carry. The key for the Bills is quarterback Josh Allen, as the Bills passing offense has been mediocre. However, what will help Buffalo’s passing offense is the subpar Houston passing defense. Houston has given up the 8th most pass plays of 20+ yards, and the Texans will have to rely on J.J. Watt to return and play effectively. Buffalo too has a strong rushing attack, while the Texans’ rush defense has been worse than the Bills. I could see Buffalo ending Houston’s season this week, but I believe in Deshaun Watson to do what he does best and that’s carry the Texans somehow someway to victory.

Bills 17 Texans 20

Saturday, January 4th 7:15 PM on CBS

Tennessee Titans @ New England Patriots

This is tricky because you don’t want to fall into “the Patriots are done” trap, but at the same time, they haven’t looked impressive these last few months, and the Titans came on strong once Ryan Tanehill replaced Marcus Mariota. Tanehill is 1st in quarterback rating, yards per attempt, and yards per catch. One thing that has helped is rookie wide receiver A.J. Brown has been incredible in his last six games; he averages four catches and 100 yards per game. In those six games, he also has six touchdowns, but now he has to go against the possible Defensive Player of the Year, Stephon Gilmore on top of New England’s elite defense, and the Titans have allowed 56 sacks this season which isn’t a good stat to see against a pass rush like the Patriots. Derrick Henry will be huge in this game. Henry led the NFL in yards and rushing touchdowns and the Titans are 6-0 when Henry rushes for 100 yards. The Titans pass defense has not been the best this season and going against Brady (that’s not a great sign), but Brady and company have not looked the same offensively. I’m going to pick the upset this week.

Titans 17 Patriots 14

Sunday, January 5th 12:05 PM on FOX

Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints

It’ll be a week of every sports media outlet replaying the Minneapolis Miracle from a few years ago, but the Saints aren’t focused on revenge; they’re more focused on the task at hand, and being in the Superdome, the Saints are basically unstoppable at home. The Saints have had terrible playoff luck the past two years, and now they can right those wrongs. Yes, Kirk Cousins has had his big game struggles, but he’s taken a leap this year, and with running back Dalvin Cook ready to roll, the Vikings’ offense will be at full strength to give the Saints’ defense a lot to handle. The Saints will get the win this week and move onto the next round.

Vikings 20 Saints 30

Sunday, January 5th 3:40 PM on NBC

Seattle Seahawks @ Philadelphia Eagles

This is a rematch from earlier in the season in which the Seahawks traveled to Philly and won 17-9. The Eagles will have to do better this time against the run as they did a good job against Wilson and the passing game in their previous matchup, but with Seattle having a makeshift backfield, Wilson will have to carry the Seahawks even more than he normally has to do. Wentz and Wilson will be asked to do a lot and both quarterbacks are capable of this. The Seahawks have given up the second most yards to tight ends, and with tight end Dallas Goedert emerging as a trusty target for Carson Wentz that could be the matchup to hurt the Seahawks defense this week . Running back Boston Scott has been huge for Philadelphia, and the Eagles’ defense has been better the past few weeks. All these factors should lead to Carson Wentz getting his first playoff win this week.

Seahawks 14 Eagles 16